Chapter Eleven: The Average Life

*Even the hot water of her morning shower could do little to calm the exhausted nerves that Lily had overworked the day before. Every tiny movement ached to the point of pain—Lily wanted nothing more than to crawl back into her bed and go back to sleep for an eternity of safety within her dreams.

But her mind had screamed at her, waking her bright and early, and had been unwilling to give her the serenity that she desired so deeply. So instead, she had given in and arisen with the break of dawn over the sea cliffs.

Now she sat on her bed, still sleepy-eyed, trying to decide what to wear. In the wizarding world it had been so easy, no one ever cared what was beneath your robes. But now, she had to make a decision that would first and foremost appease her sister and brother-in-law, and secondly make a good impression on people when she went job hunting. Lily knew, more so than most people, how much appearances made a difference. Humans were shallow people, and no matter how much they tried to deny it, it was in their nature to judge based upon first glance.

Lily’s eyes fluttered towards the clock on her bedside table—she had twenty minutes to finish getting dressed and get out of the house, or else Petunia and Vernon would throw a fit. She had, after all, promised to be out by seven thirty. All right then, it was time to make a decision. What would she wear?

After trying on numerous amounts of clothes and trying to match skirts with tops, she came to a choice—a simple black business skirt, a periwinkle blue blouse, and a black business coat. Simple, yet elegant. It screamed professional, as well as capable. Adding a very small amount of mascara, she quickly grabbed her old backpack, which she had thrown an old ID photo, a notebook of paper, and a few pens into incase she should need them. Five minutes to spare! Brushing her glossy burnt red hair one final time, she held her head high, took a deep breath, and stepped out of her room and down the stairs.

There was no noise in the house, save a few creaks from the old wooden planks settling onto themselves in the salty air. Breathing in deeply, she felt empowered by the familiar scent, and bravely stepped out into the chilly world. Down the beaten path towards the bus stop she walked, and when she reached the stop, she was pleasantly surprised to find she had just made the first bus.

Climbing aboard, she nodded to the driver and took a window seat near the front right behind the driver. Only three other people occupied the bus, and the ride into town was quite, save for a few coughs and a sneeze from someone behind her. Everything about this gave her a very creepy feeling. It was as if she had stepped back in time. Maybe not back into a different era, or decade, but back into a different time in her own life.

Lily remembered when she was younger, when she had ridden this same bus every day of her life to get to and from school. But now? Now it seemed awkward. She was too used to traveling by broom, or apparating, she supposed. Everything seemed less productive here in the muggle world. Wait. Wasn’t that why she was here? Because she had missed the old, simple ways of living? Yes. She simply had to fall back into the swing of muggle life, no, of normal life, and then she would be just fine. Just fine.

“Say…” the bus driver asked, glancing back into his rearview mirror, “Didn’t you used to ride this bus to school when you were younger?” Lily smiled. She thought he looked vaguely familiar.

“Yes, with my older sister. I’m Lily Evans.”

“The missing Evans daughter!” The bus driver roared jovially. “I remember you and your sister, nasty bit if a temper, that girl has on her, coming aboard for school when you were little. Then one day, you weren’t with her. I always wondered where you got off to. Did you go running away?”

“No. I went to a boarding school in Scotland. Petunia wanted to stay, so she did.” Lily gave a sad smile.

“I see. When did you get back then?”

“Last night. I’m only staying temporarily though, I’m hoping to find a place of my own soon.”

“Oh, that’s too bad.” The bus driver clicked his tongue.

“Why’s that?” Lily asked, not quite sure why.

“Well, I thought now that you were back, you would be staying in the house. It’d be a shame to see your sister sell it to someone outside the family.”

“She’s selling the house?” Lily cried out in a panic. What? How dare her sister do such a thing! That was their house! Their house! Their family’s home! Her home! How could she?

“Yeah. They haven’t put it on the market yet, but I heard tell they was planning on it soon. Housing up here’s getting expensive. I heard they were thinking of moving to Surrey, though I don’t know too much, only rumors and what I hear other passengers saying. You mean you didn’t know?”

“Petunia doesn’t particularly like me. She rarely tells me anything—In fact, I haven’t spoken with her in years. But to sell our house without telling me…” Lily shuddered. “I won’t let her. I’ll keep that house if it means buying it myself.”

“Good for you!” The bus driver cheered. “Don’t give up, give her hell for it!” Lily had to grin. She already felt closer to this man then she felt with anyone in the muggle world.

“Thanks for your vote in my confidence.”

“Anytime. So where’s your stop today?”

“Town I suppose. I haven’t been here in quite a while, and I need to find a job—I figure I’ll pick up a paper, then grab a bite to eat and read over the classifieds.”

“Good way of going about it. You look like a right smart young gal, I’m sure you’ll have no problem finding a nice job. What’re you looking for?”

“I have no idea.” Lily told him truthfully. “I’m not sure what I’ll be good with.”

“You mean you didn’t study anything in particular at school?”

“Well, nothing that would be of use in the job market…” Lily flushed. What was she supposed to say, that she had studied ghosts and magic, not books and math?

“Sure. Well, I hope you find something. This here’s your stop. You have a nice day now Miss Lily.”

“Thank you.” Lily said as she stood to get off. “You too. Do you drive the bus all day?”

“I do.”

“Then I’ll see you later tonight, when I come for a ride home.” She smiled. He too, gave her a side smile.

“You have yourself a deal.”

“Bye!” She called as she watched the doors close. And then the bus was off, gray smoke billowing from the exhaust pipe as it trucked away. Lily looked around. She had a slight of memory of this place… if she was right, then there should be a magazine stand to her right just around the corner, and then a small diner across the street where she could eat.

Making her way down the streets, she found she had been correct, and after purchasing the daily paper and a cup of warm tea with a croissant, she sat outside at a small table watching as the town began to wake for the day. It was only just turning eight o’clock, and the stores were just now beginning to come to life in the tiny town.

Flipping through the paper, she found the classifieds and began reading the job openings. Need for a secretary with computer knowledge, car salesmen needed, pet sitter, the newspaper had an opening for a photographer, and the local drugstore needed a new pharmacist. Well. She had no computer knowledge, knew nothing nor cared about cars, did not think she would be an ideal pet sitter, wasn’t a great photographer, and knew nothing about mixing muggle drugs—and it probably would not be a good idea to even try. Didn’t they need any, she didn’t know, psychics? Or fortunetellers? Or maybe a paranormal expert? No, she supposed not. These were muggles after all.

Of all of the jobs, the only one she felt fairly certain she could even attempt was the photographing job—and even then, she had no idea how to develop muggle photos! Well, she did need a job… Fine. She would try the newspaper. Quickly she went inside the café and used the payphone to dial up the paper for an interview time.

“Hello, the Daily Gazette, Linda Conrad speaking, how may I help you?” The voice came over the phone line.

“Yes, hello, my name is Lily Evans, and I’m calling in regards to your add in the classifieds for a photographer?”

“Ah yes, the job opening. Let me transfer you to the layout office, they are handling the hiring.”

“Great, thank you so much.” Lily stammered.

“Have a nice day.” Lord, she was nervous! She had just remembered why she had always hated calling people. It was a nerve-wracking experience, to speak to people over a machine you couldn’t see through! She liked it much better when she could simply write a letter and owl it, or even speak to someone through the fire. Soon the cheesy music that had been playing over the phone was cut off, and a new, deeper voice picked up.

“Hello, Daily Gazette layout, Rick Houseman speaking?”

“Hello, my name is Lily Evans, and I’m calling about the job opening for the photographer?”

“Really?” The man sounded positively enthusiastic.

“Um, yes, really.” Lily could feel her palms beginning to sweat. She hated this!

“I’m sorry,” the man laughed, “it’s just that I’ve been running that ad for two months straight now, and no one’s called even once. Tell me, do you have any experience?”

“I like taking pictures?” Lily asked, hoping that would suffice. The man laughed.

“Any professional experience?”

“To be quite honest? No. I just moved to town, and I’m looking for a job—the only others were too far fetched for me to even begin to try for, and I thought that I can at least aim and press a button…”

“Miss… Evans, did you say?”

“Yes. Lily Evans.”

“Why don’t you come by for an interview? Nine thirty?”

“Of course!” Lily brightened. This was a pleasant development.

“Good. Do you need directions?”

“The Daily Gazette… you’re at the end of Colla Road, am I right?”

“Third floor, office number four.” The man replied.

“I’ll see you at nine thirty then.” She smiled unconsciously.

“Alright then, good bye.”

“Bye.” Lily put the phone down sighing in relief. That had gone remotely well. Turning, she went back to her small table outside and settled down. She had time to kill before the meeting. Though she should probably think about getting a camera, if she did get the job, she would need it.

Suddenly, a rolled up parchment landed on the table before her. Quickly she looked up, and spied an owl swooping away in the distance. It hadn’t even stopped! Wait, she knew that owl… Sawbeak, Ara’s… then she was buzzed by another owl, this one staying longer—just long enough for her to throw a knut into the leather carrying pouch. She knew this one was the Daily Prophet. She would have to remember to request a special nighttime delivery, so that no one saw the owls in public.

Lily opened Ara’s letter first. It actually turned out to be four papers rolled into one, and she was very surprised by who had sent them. One was from Ara, of course, asking her if she was all right and how the muggle world was, one was from Sirius asking the same thing—Hagrid had added a small blurb at the bottom of his—and the last two baffled her. One was from Remus, whom she hadn’t heard from in nearly two and a half months, and one was from Peter, whom she rarely heard from anyway. Making a mental note to write to all of them and mail it out the muggle way, she then turned her attention to the Daily Prophet.

There was no major breaking news about Voldemort… at least, news she didn’t already know about. The headline was of the massacre that had occurred at the restaurant the night previous, but Lily didn’t particularly care to remember the incident—it had been where she had ended it with James. James…

Lily’s head dropped, and she lowered it into her arms, where she began shaking, fighting for control over the breakdown that was coming. James, God James… The tears began to fall, hard as she tried to detain them, and her heart ached like the dull feeling of knives cutting into it very slowly over and over again. She still loved him; she loved him so much.

Finally Lily brought her head up and rubbed away the tears. Hoping there were no tearstains, and hoping her makeup was still all right, she stood and headed down the street. There was no time for tears now; she needed to get to the job interview. Within less then ten minutes she walked into the building that the paper was housed in, and made her way up the stairs to the third floor. Stepping inside the fourth office, she looked around. People were busy scurrying from here to there, trying to get their work done on time for the next day’s issue.

“Can I help you?” A short, older and balding man asked her. She immediately recognized the voice from over the phone.

“Mr. Houseman? I’m Lily Evans, we spoke over the phone earlier about the photo job?” The man’s face lightened as he made the connection.

“Miss Evans! Nice to meet you in person! It’s a little early, but that’s alright then, we’ll just do the interview now.”

“I’m sorry. I was in the neighborhood, and well, I was nervous, so I thought I would just head on over early, in case.” Lily told him, trying to smile.

“I appreciate the honesty. Why don’t you come on into my cubical, and we can chat.” He grinned and turned on his heel. Lily followed, and soon found herself sitting in front of a small desk, the smiling man on the other side. “Now Miss Evans. You said you have no experience with photography, but were willing to try?”

“Well, I’ve used cameras before, of course. But I admit, I’ve never worked professionally, and I don’t know how to develop any film. I’m quite willing to learn, however—and I’m told I learn very quickly.”

“Well, I have no doubt about that. You look like a bright, young, intelligent sort of girl. You’re hired.”

“I’m… already?”

“Truth is? I’m desperate. I’ve been taking the photos, but I’ve got layout to be worrying about, it’s enough as it is. We can get one of the other lackeys to develop the film, that’s no problem. Besides. It’d be nice to have a fresh face around the office. I’ve known everyone in town for years, that’s how it is when you work for the paper; you get to know everyone personally.”

“Well, I’m originally from here—my sister, Petunia, still lives here. It’s just…”

“Wait. Petunia? Petunia Dursely?” The man narrowed his eyes.

“Yes. I’ve been away at boarding school for the last eleven or so years. In fact, I haven’t spoken to my sister in almost the same amount of time. We don’t particularly get along too well.”

“No one gets along with that woman well. She’s too hard to please—everything’s wrong if it’s not done her way.”

“I see you know her very well.” Lily had to smile in spite of herself. She felt guilty speaking ill of her sister. After all, she was blood. But then again, it was the truth, wasn’t it?

“Unfortunately, yes. She does a great deal of complaining in her weekly letter to the editor.”

“I’m sorry.” Lily apologized.

“For what? Not as if you’ve been here to stop her I suppose. Where’ve you been going to school?”

“In Scotland. A very small, private school.”

“I see. College?”

“The boarding school had a junior college included. I went through it.” Lily lied. Well, it was partially true. She did, after all, learn her trade for work in the wizarding world at Hogwarts.

“What an interesting idea.”

“Yes. The only times I’ve been home since I left for the school were Petunia’s wedding and my parent’s funerals.”

“Yes. I recall your parents… your father was a wonderful man. I am sorry about the loss, I truly am. The world lost a good man, and a nice woman in your mother as well.”

“I know.” Lily whispered. She still couldn’t speak about her parents without getting sentimental. Voldemort would be caught and brought to justice for his crimes…

“I’m sorry. Well, at any rate. When would you like to start?”

“Today, if you’d like.” Lily offered, choking her tears back. “Just tell me what you need done, and I’ll be out in a jiff.”

“Do you have a camera?”

“I’m planning on stopping by the photo store for one.”

“Good. Well, I’ll compose a list of needed photos, and hand it to you in, say, fifteen minutes?”

“Fine.”

“Oh, and Lily? Pay. If I like the work you do, if it’s crisp, clear, and of what it’s supposed to be of, it’s sixty dollars a day. If it’s only mediocre, thirty. We pay good money for good pictures, and bad money for bad pictures. Just warning you. But it’s a set fee, you don’t have to work for a certain number of hours, or stay up until you get the perfect shot, or work off of commission.”

“Fair enough. Thank you again sir.”

“Sure. It’s your pay. I’ll have that list soon. Feel free to look around while you’re here waiting.”

“I will, thanks.” As he left, Lily simply stayed put. She had no real motivation to look around the office, seeing as how she wouldn’t be spending a great deal of time in it. Suddenly, she had a strange thought.

Working at a paper was an ideal job for her other job. She had promised Dumbledore she would write reports to him every week about muggles and the situation with Voldemort in their world, and working with a paper? She would learn everything there was to know a day before the public did… a perfect guise to keep up on events and monitor the situation.

Sooner than she had thought, Rick Houseman returned with the list of needed photos, and Lily set off for her first day at work. As she walked down the streets of her old hometown, she couldn’t help but wonder how her friends were. She wondered, who had taken over her job in the muggle department? And what… no. She would not go there. This was the beginning of her new life. Her magic-free life. Her normal life. She was Lily Evans, normal woman. James…*